Project Update: April 2008

Since the 1st of February we have been in the field collecting data on woodland regrowth in the Tambacounda region of Senegal. Work has been constant and highly productive. So far we have recorded data on the regrowth rates and patterns around over 50 current and old charcoal production points and conducted nearly 30 interviews in 8 villages within the region. Data from these forest samples and interviews has quickly helped us understand how and why regeneration is taking place around these charcoal collection areas.

The resiliency of the Combretaceae species (main family used for charcoal production) is amazing. Trees cut are growing back well enough to be harvested 4 to 8 years after a clear cut has taken place. Many factors seem to be affecting the rate of regeneration including the height of the cut, frequency of fire, soil composition and management type associated with the plot. We are excited with the initial results and are eager to collect data over the remaining field sites over the next couple months and then apply it to the satellite data.